A Beautiful Diamond Ring in the Sky

In just two weeks on August 21, 2017, America will be having a very rare solar eclipse cross the country starting at Oregon and exiting at South Carolina. There is a 70 mile path of totality where the sun will go completely dark in many states along this path which cuts the country in half. It also cuts perfectly across the 3 major earthquake fault lines in the States. This should be an interesting day, to say the least since solar eclipses are generally seen as omens, or warnings or upcoming judgements for the Gentile nations (and could be up to a 40 day warning for the nation to repent). See my previous post for more details…

But, on another opposite very interesting point, I happened to see a picture of an eclipse today and it touched my heart in another way…

What is a curse to some is a blessing to others.

“26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28

Though an eclipse can be a warning of upcoming judgement upon those who have turned aside from the true God to go their own way, it can be a blessed promise for those who continue to obey the commandments of the Lord.

“11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:11-15

When the moon is almost in total alignment of the sun, the sun will look like a beautiful diamond ring in the sky. To most of us, a diamond ring is a symbol of an engagement, or a promise of a wedding and a forever love. As Christians, we are looking forward to the wedding banquet of the Lamb. This is when we are caught up to heaven to celebrate a special banquet with Jesus whereby He fulfills His engagement and marries the Church, and so we will forever be with the Lord. It is also the time when we will escape the upcoming judgement that will fall to the earth.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

“This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit.2 And he said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.”” Amos 8:1, “The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: “Surely I will never forget any of their deeds. 8 Shall not the land tremble on this account, and everyone mourn who dwells in it, and all of it rise like the Nile, and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?”9 “And on that day,” declares the Lord God,“I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist and baldness on every head; I will make it like the mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,but of hearing the words of the Lord. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.” Amos 8:7-12

Lord, we cry out for our country today and ask for eyes to be opened and hearts to be softened so that many will turn to you in repentance of the breaking of your laws and in following their own gods. We thank you for your warnings to us to show us that you hear all things and see all things, but open eyes to those who see your signs as entertainment and not as messages from you. For there will be a time when your grace ends and your judgement begins and we know that you’ve been so kind and patient so that others might have the chance to turn to you. Thank you also for those who have woken up to your truth and have given their lives to your Son to forgive sins. We long for the wedding banquet and we thank you that you have promised to rescue us from the great trials that will come upon the earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come,and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:6-10